Rectal artesunate is probably beneficial in young children with severe malaria, but may be harmful in older children and adults
Saturday, May 31, 2014 - 01:32
in Health & Medicine
An independent review of the effects of pre-referral rectal artesunate for people with severe malaria provides some insight into its best uses and effectiveness. Severe malaria is a serious medical condition that is treated by giving injections of antimalarial drugs, which need to be started as quickly as possible. In some rural areas where malaria is common, injections are unavailable and people often die before reaching hospital. In these areas rectal artesunate could feasibly be administered to start treatment before transporting the patient.